FIAT 124 Spider
Engine Maintenance + Modification
86
installation (it is almost too tight to tune) may make this undesirable. The block-mount is
available new from some parts vendors.
Another option is an optical trigger unit, available from most auto parts stores. These
units remove the wearable points in the distributor body. The most popular is the Crane
Fireball, sold by many parts vendors. If you are considering one of these units you
should speak with other owners on installation specifics, ease of use, and reliability.
11.4 Exhaust and Emissions Control
There are few options in the exhaust improvement category. There are the stock
systems that have a four-two-one design, and aftermarket systems of similar design.
Unless you have a specific need for an aftermarket design, the FIAT 4-2-1 is efficient,
well designed, fits correctly (unlike many aftermarket systems), and has a stock look.
For carbureted engines made after 1973 the 4-2-1 type used on the 1756cc Spiders will
work well. The 4-2-1 type used on the 2000cc Fuel Injected spider will work on these
models as well (although it may hang a little low for 1756cc Spiders).
If you use the fuel injected 4-2-1 exhaust on a carbureted engine note that you will need
to block off the oxygen sensor port and, unless you intend to use the catalytic converter
and rear section from a fuel injected car, modify the flange under the vehicle for use with
the carbureted, 3-bolt catalytic converter. A “full conversion” to the FI 4-2-1 is actually
quite easy and saves the hassle of having to cut, weld, or alter the stock components.
The emissions control devices installed on your Spider are probably inoperable. The
parts to service these devices are also few and far between. In some cases the
pollution control equipment operates so poorly that it can increase emissions. If you are
concerned about emissions then it may interest you to note that EPA mandated these
devices be installed regardless of whether the engine was within good air quality ranges
to begin with. An in-tune Spider engine without modifications to the fuel delivery
system is a very clean burning engine; even without a catalytic converter many will pass
all but the visual inspection of the vehicle.
There are some emissions control devices that you should probably keep. The charcoal
canister, which is designed to absorb the stink of raw fuel, is good to have functioning
correctly. It can be “recharged” by simply cutting it open and refilling with activated
charcoal (from a fish store). They can also be bought new from numerous sources as
the FIAT part was used on various years of other European cars well through the 1990’s.
The catalytic converter is another part you might consider leaving intact. Although it
certainly consumes some power (it creates backpressure by its very design), newer
types are far less restrictive than the original equipment FIAT types.
Keep in mind that some states have laws around smog checks and original equipment.
Cars made after a certain year may need to pass emissions tests and visual inspection s
to verify that all of the original equipment is in place and working.
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